Even my blisters have blisters...

So, hiking yesterday was an adventure. Of course, it was. When we began the morning I had absolutely no clue what I was in store for. I'll start off by saying that I haven't been on a real hike in about 2 years. I've been specializing in "happy hikes" as of late. Kelly, Judith, Lindsay, Kristin, and myself began our tour at 7am...we reached the Raven Cliff Falls trail at 8:45am beginning the trail at 9. It started off lovely for 4 miles when we began our descent down the mountain to the falls. We ran into a gentleman who advised us to turn around because the trail was completely iced over. Not ones for defeat, we decided to continue. Down ladders and across streams we went. Needless to say, it was breathtaking. Huge icicles hung off the side of the mountains...20 in a row. Then we saw it. The entire side of the mountain was nothing but a sheet of ice. Where the trail should have been was only ice. We decided to hike around the ice and find the trail on the other side. We had to slide down the mountain on our bums and then cross a half frozen stream. I, of course, busted it and almost died. Luckily, Kristin grabbed my foot and Lindsay grabbed my hand. With shaky legs we crawled up the mountain back to the trail. Oh, did I mention that we crossed a suspension bridge earlier? You know the kind that go up and down and side to side. It was awesome. Anyway, we made our way to a lunch spot. We had to cross the river again, but this time on wire. Feet on one, hands on the other and shimmy across. I felt like I was on Fear Factor. My legs were still shaking from the near death and they doubled their tremors as I made my way across the wires. Taking a 20 minute break, we enjoyed lunch and then continued on our excursion. The trail we hit next was dismal...no really, it was the Dismal Trail. It was a mile and a half straight back up the mountain. I mean straight back up the mountain. By this time, I could feel blisters forming on my feet. Worsening with each step, I begged the others to continue. I hobbled up the mountain. Finally, I said "forget this" and took my boots off and finished the last 1/8 of a mile in my socks. Six hours and 12 blisters later we finished our trip. Taking my socks off...everyone gasping an "eww," I discovered that I had a blister on each toe, 2 on my pinkie toe and a blister on top of another blister on my big toe.

All in all, a great day. Beautiful. It was worth all the pain. Besides it's not everyday that you get to pretend to be a mountain goat.


Thursday, December 30, 2004 | 1:04 PM | LINK |

Red Velvet and Nosebleeds.

I haven't had a nosebleed since I was in the 2nd grade. I remember it perfectly. I had just come in from recess and we were going through our spelling words for the week. We had played kick ball during recess (speaking of which...any one up for a game of kick-ball?). Anyway, I was sitting in my desk writing my words for the week and drops of blood started dripping from my nose. It was traumatic. I got to leave an entire hour early from school.
On to last night, I had just eaten a piece of homemade red velvet cake. I started watching Extreme Home Makeover with my mother when my nose started running. Reaching my hand up to my nose, I discovered that my nose was pouring blood. Needless to say, the drama queen in me determined that I was close to death and I proceeded to hyperventilate until my Da reassured me that I was not in any immediate danger and would, in fact, be alright.

In other news, I'm going hiking Wednesday morning. After just finishing Aron Ralston's Between a Rock and a Hard Place, I hope that we don't come in contact with any boulders that decide to pin our arms to a cavern wall causing us to saw them off with a pocketknife.

Here ends my paranoia entry for the month.


Monday, December 27, 2004 | 7:39 PM | LINK |

where'd the day go?

So, I ran out of day yesterday to finish the dream recaps...but you'll want to hear this one.

I've had dreams with water in the school gym. I had one where a whale had died and was floating around in the gym. But this one was entirely different. It was like the gym was all that was the world and there were lots of houses floating around in the gym. But I didn't know that my house was floating...so I stepped outside and fell into the water and drowned.

Yeah, I don't even want to have these dreams interpreted.


FISH UPDATE: they're still kicking...or flipping...or whatever they do...in any case they're still alive. They also have names now. If I had a picture I would introduce you to Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom...named after the characters from F. Scott Fitzgerald's book, The Great Gatsby. Yeah, I'm a sucker for naming fish after favorite characters from books. My last pair were Catherine and Heathcliffe from Wuthering Heights.


Wednesday, December 22, 2004 | 9:01 AM | LINK |

weird dream #1

I was on my way to church, but church was really far away and I was extremely late. When I arrived to church, it was on a farm and I had missed the first 3 services completely. Upon walking down the stairs I was intercepted by a woman who then was joined my two more men. I had been kidnapped. I tried to escape, but everyone I came in contact with was in on the kidnapping. At the end of the dream I found out that my parents had been the ones responsible for my kidnapping.

I mean really...what happened to my brain that night.


Tuesday, December 21, 2004 | 3:19 PM | LINK |

Weird dreams and cocoa.

The weird dreams continue.

There was a house floating in the gym of my old place of work.

And my parents have hired forces to kidnap me.

I'll recount each later in the day...stay tuned.


All due to excessive amounts of hot cocoa consumed before bedtime.

Don't you just love suspense.


| 8:46 AM | LINK |

You...complete...me.

Someone found my site by searching "accordion hotties." My blog is complete.


Saturday, December 18, 2004 | 1:11 PM | LINK |

the tale of the fish

I am coming from you live and in person from my very own office (or "space" whatever you would like to call it). I've got one more work day at the school and then I'm officially official at New Spring.

The tale of the fish you ask?

Well, it seems that I was blessed with 3 goldfish at a White Elephant Party. They need a home I thought, but I can't leave them in my car because they'll freeze. So I took them home and left them, in what I thought, was a safe place. On to Wal-Mart I went and purchased an aquarium. Upon returning home I realized that my cat had decided to eat a snack. Water and an empty bag was all that was left on the floor. I heard my cat rustling in my room and when I looked in, I noticed that my fish were still alive!! The fish had been double-bagged and somehow, even with no water, and being shaken, they were still alive. I hurried into the kitchen and put them in a bowl and then into the aquarium. I didn't expect for them to make it through the night, but in the morning they were still alive. And today they were still alive and if they make it through the weekend...they're coming to live at the office.


Thursday, December 16, 2004 | 4:11 PM | LINK |

Last night, I played in the rain and colored. It was fun.

THE END.


Friday, December 10, 2004 | 3:17 PM | LINK |

Imagine if you will...

...a chilly afternoon riding down the street in my beloved Pippin.

Red Light glows, foot goes to brake...smooth stop. wonderful.

I glance to my right and what do I see?
Why, it's 3 chinese restaurant workers and 2 tiny puppies.
More rapid than eagles the workers they came,
And they whistled, and shouted, and called them names.

"This can't be happening" I said to myself.
"Why that little puppy looks like an elf."
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now run away! run away! run away all!"

Behind the dumpster the puppies they flew,
And the green light and horns told me that my view was through.
I hope they all remained out of sight
And I hope that all of you have a very good night.




Tuesday, December 07, 2004 | 1:51 PM | LINK |

Psalm 37:4

The Holiday vacation did me good. I had lots of rest and great family time...which is hard to come by nowadays. God also gave me a little something extra to be thankful for...a new job. Was I looking? Nope, wasn't looking. God just decided to bless my socks off when I least expected it. For those of you who don't know I graduated from Anderson College in 2003 with a degree in Christian Ministry..."But Lanna, I thought you worked with special needs children?" I did, but had always hoped to work in a church...MY church to be exact, but it just didn't seem that it was going to happen any time soon. Then God said, "Hey, you know how much you love people? Well, how about the job of your dreams." And here it is, I'll be working as Assistant to the Associate Pastor at New Spring Community Church. What?

Perhaps that feeling of excitement that I had a few weeks ago wasn't so far off...


Wednesday, December 01, 2004 | 2:48 PM | LINK |